What is your best decorating idea using 'junk'?

I like to throw things in a box to use later when I go on a spree and start changing things around. I'm a teacher and use tons of supplies, so I like to go cheap and be creative with dollar store items, or better yet, free!

For starters, I use very small planters to put my pens, pencils, highlighters, etc. and paper clips, erasers, etc. on my desk at school. I place them on a round plate that spins ( intended for spices in the kitchen?) so that I can easily grab what I need in a hurry. I use larger "cutsie/cheap"! planters to store my dry erase markers for the board. I frame wrapping or tissue paper for works of art on my wall. I use plastic party trays to display shells or things I pick up on vacation for student viewing.

I've used broken crates upside down behind furniture to lift flower arrangements. I've used fish bowls for candy jars (SO much cheaper!), jelly jars for drinking glasses, trash bags for raincoats, old tires for outside planters, place mats for wall decor, scarves for table runners, and filled old vases with rocks from my garden and stored utensils in my kitchen.

* My favorite is the plastic [fish] tackle boxes I use for storing my earrings and pendants in my bathroom vanity drawers! I store my bracelets on paper towel tubes in those drawers, as well. Those little plastic hooks that you peel off the back and stick to a wall are placed behind my hanging clothes around my closet. I hang my ever-growing collection of necklaces on them so I can instantly match my outfit for the day!

I can't begin to tell you the uses I've found for old cardboard boxes, duct tape, and super glue! I've made drawer dividers, junk holders, end tables, magazine storage, shadow boxes, and more! And it just doesn't get better than duct tape! You can patch electrical cords, hoses in your car, your torn vinyl seats, (that applies to your furniture as well!) even cracked bumpers or hanging fenders! I guess there's a reason I live deep in the south in redneck country...

OOPS - I see I shoulda finished reading your endnote...I missed the punch line!

If you have paint you can repaint items to make them look new.

A person I know is collecting certain junk to make into art pieces to make into statues and hangings. She was even talking about drilling holes in pennies and putting them on; but that would not be you. If you need items like buttons for clothes or to put on rag dolls I can star looking for them and ship them to you, if you want.

I take new kitchen towels. cut then in half, and make them into aprons. If you have halves of towels and want that I can send you the pattern.

Then there is the famous American Quilts made from small pieces of fabrics into beautiful quilts.

If you need any more ideas let me know.

Ok.. so what kind of JUNK r we talking about? Rmbr... one's man JUNK is anthr man's TREASURE..... ;-)

If it's junk that can b organzied.. then put into lg/med/ bins or baskets ... if it's junk furniture then jazz it up. Paint it or re-do it ..crackle it... faux it..... paint the main base a solid color then give the drawers & top a funky design or color.

JUNK is really a vauge word so w/o knowing what type of JUNK... those r my suggestions